Current Events > First female Muslim MP In Australian history comes out as pro gay marriage.

(+) Yeah! (+)

I know that discussions about marriage equality can challenge peoples personal views. These are not easy conversations to have. Believe me, Ive had many. I still do.

After being elected to the New South Wales upper house as the first female Muslim MP in any parliament in Australia, the media immediately focused on the question of how I would reconcile my faith with the Greens support for LGBTQI rights.

While this same question would rarely be asked of an MP who identifies as Christian or Jewish, I wasnt surprised. In Australia there is a negative attitude towards Muslims rife with stereotypes. I have never shied away from publicly supporting marriage equality, not then and not now.

As a Muslim, I grew up with values of compassion, justice and dignity. For me its a question of removing discrimination and providing hope and happiness to all loving couples regardless of their race, religion, sex, sexuality or gender identity. It matters to me that everyone has the same right to enjoy love, partnership and commitment that my husband and I do.

Who can better understand the trials and tribulations of being a minority community than a brown, migrant, Muslim woman? We know what it feels like to face prejudice. We have to stop normalising relentless Islamophobia in Australia.

I came to Australia as a migrant from Pakistan 25 years ago. This is where both my children have grown up and where Ive studied and worked. Weve had many great opportunities but also faced barriers for no other reason than simply being who we are.

Australian Muslims are bearing the brunt of the current wave of racism, division and Islamophobia. While we ask others to defend our rights to our culture and religion, surely its incumbent upon us to do the same for others being treated unfairly. Discrimination against anyone should be an affront to us all.

Because of my continued support for marriage equality, including co-sponsoring the cross-party marriage equality bill in NSW parliament in 2013 , Ive been told by some friends and family that western thinking has got to me, that Ive been brainwashed, that Ive lost my way and that Ill burn in the fires of hell for eternity. This hurts.

Like people of any other faith, Muslims come in all shapes and sizes and we have a variety of political views and values.

There are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Muslims. Some of us will be vocal about our support for marriage equality, others will vote quietly. For those still on the fence, please consider this: marriage equality doesnt mean anyone will be forced to do anything they dont want to. It just means that other people will have the same rights as heterosexual people who are free to marry the person they love. Why would we deny this basic right to any other couple?

Thats why my husband, my children and I are voting yes , publicly and proudly. As a mother, I cant fathom the idea that in 2017 there are Australians, particularly young people, whose very identity is being challenged in public debate.

Multicultural ethnic communities are not homogeneous conservative caricatures that the media makes us out to be. Groups like Muslims for Marriage Equality, the Australian Council of Hindu Clergy, the Asian Australian Alliance and the Arab Council support civil marriage because they know, perhaps better than most, that all Australians must be treated equally.

We want our LGBTIQ friends and loved ones to have the same rights we have. Its that simple.

Full Article: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/19/as-a-muslim-im-proud-to-support-marriage-equality



She's the lady on the left.... ironically. Dr Mehreen Faruqi.
---

A Muslim woman politician is in favor of gay marriage but many American politicians, including out president(regardless of what he says), are still against it.

Top lulz .
---

pres_madagascar posted...

A Muslim woman politician is in favor of gay marriage but many American politicians, including out president(regardless of what he says), are still against it.

Top lulz .

Lol true
---

I'm really starting to believe those articles that claim America is regressing back to a developing nation.
---

pres_madagascar posted...

(regardless of what he says)

What a stupid point.

If you are flatly disregarding what people say then what are you even discussing? Hell you can say this girl hates gays too if you just disregard what she says
---

UnfairRepresent posted...

pres_madagascar posted...

(regardless of what he says)

What a stupid point.

If you are flatly disregarding what people say then what are you even discussing? Hell you can say this girl hates gays too if you just disregard what she says

Trump has said he supports gay rights but has actively decided against them at every turn.
---

UnfairRepresent posted...

"lets legalize baby murder, nothing wrong about it at all!"
---

pres_madagascar posted...

Trump has said he supports gay rights but has actively decided against them at every turn.

So where's the Donald Trump gay marriage ban referrendum then? Like Australia is having
---

The tragic funny thing is, the majority of Muslims wouldn't consider her to be a true Muslim.
Imagine the response if she said this in a public square in Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Egypt... etc.

Also

As a Muslim, I grew up with values of compassion, justice and dignity. For me its a question of removing discrimination

Perhaps she grew up with these values thanks to growing up in Australia and all that entailed...
---

Rika_Furude posted...

UnfairRepresent posted...

"lets legalize baby murder, nothing wrong about it at all!"

Hell yeah!

Please don't feed Rika
---

Th-that's impossible!!!!

Oh, hahaha, I'm already seeing people go "no true Muslim!" on this. Well yeah, of course you'd think Islam is some evil death cult if you ignore all the good Muslims.
---

Because of my continued support for marriage equality, including co-sponsoring the cross-party marriage equality bill in NSW parliament in 2013 , Ive been told by some friends and family that western thinking has got to me, that Ive been brainwashed, that Ive lost my way and that Ill burn in the fires of hell for eternity. This hurts.

At least she admits that this is a thing.
---

1337toothbrush posted...

Th-that's impossible!!!!

Oh, hahaha, I'm already seeing people go "no true Muslim!" on this. Well yeah, of course you'd think Islam is some evil death cult if you ignore all the good Muslims.

The problem is by her own admission this is how many other Muslims feel as well.
---

Thats not very Muslim of her
---

unpleasant_milk posted...

The tragic funny thing is, the majority of Muslims wouldn't consider her to be a true Muslim.
Imagine the response if she said this in a public square in Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Egypt... etc.

Also

As a Muslim, I grew up with values of compassion, justice and dignity. For me its a question of removing discrimination

Perhaps she grew up with these values thanks to growing up in Australia and all that entailed...

UnfairRepresent posted...

Because of my continued support for marriage equality, including co-sponsoring the cross-party marriage equality bill in NSW parliament in 2013 , Ive been told by some friends and family that western thinking has got to me, that Ive been brainwashed, that Ive lost my way and that Ill burn in the fires of hell for eternity. This hurts.

Like people of any other faith, Muslims come in all shapes and sizes and we have a variety of political views and values.

It's almost like she has never denied that or something....
---

She's not following what Muhammad taught, therefore she is not a Muslim.

shockthemonkey posted...

Who do I have a feeling this is still going to turn into a Muslim bashing topic?

Because liberal open-minded Muslims can't exist. They all believe the same thing as the extremists and are just waiting to strike.

It's dumb, there are many different versions of Islam just like there are many different versions of Christianity.
---

Rika_Furude posted...

UnfairRepresent posted...

"lets legalize baby murder, nothing wrong about it at all!"

Awful post by Rika as usual. Stick to demonizing Muslims and refugees. Actually, don't, that's shit-tastic too.

creativerealms posted...

shockthemonkey posted...

Who do I have a feeling this is still going to turn into a Muslim bashing topic?

Because liberal open-minded Muslims can't exist. They all believe the same thing as the extremists and are just waiting to strike.

It's dumb, there are many different versions of Islam just like there are many different versions of Christianity.

Do any popular versions of Islam teach that you can be a Muslim without following what Muhammad said?

She has brought shame and indignity to her people.

UnfairRepresent posted...

pres_madagascar posted...

(regardless of what he says)

What a stupid point.

If you are flatly disregarding what people say then what are you even discussing? Hell you can say this girl hates gays too if you just disregard what she says

Trump has lied about basically every single conceivable thing. There is no reason to ever take him at his word.

His actions demonstrate how he really feels.
---

Rika_Furude posted...

UnfairRepresent posted...

"lets legalize baby murder, nothing wrong about it at all!"

could you not
---

pls posted...

Do any popular versions of Islam teach that you can be a Muslim without following what Muhammad said?

Muhammad never said anything about homosexuality or abortion. You don't know anything about Islam, which isn't surprising.

This wont end well
---

pinky0926 posted...

Because of my continued support for marriage equality, including co-sponsoring the cross-party marriage equality bill in NSW parliament in 2013 , Ive been told by some friends and family that western thinking has got to me, that Ive been brainwashed, that Ive lost my way and that Ill burn in the fires of hell for eternity. This hurts.

At least she admits that this is a thing.

The keyword is *SOME*, you chucklefucks.
---

Malcolm_McGuffi posted...

pls posted...

Do any popular versions of Islam teach that you can be a Muslim without following what Muhammad said?

Muhammad never said anything about homosexuality or abortion. You don't know anything about Islam, which isn't surprising.

https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/pages/quran/homosexuality.aspx

https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/pages/quran/veils.aspx

http://www.answering-christianity.com/women_rule.htm

1337toothbrush posted...

pinky0926 posted...

Because of my continued support for marriage equality, including co-sponsoring the cross-party marriage equality bill in NSW parliament in 2013 , Ive been told by some friends and family that western thinking has got to me, that Ive been brainwashed, that Ive lost my way and that Ill burn in the fires of hell for eternity. This hurts.

At least she admits that this is a thing.

The keyword is *SOME*, you chucklefucks.

I'm not sure why you would think that dismisses the point. Also that's what her friends and family are telling her. You don't think that's significant, that the people who care about her and love her the most are telling her she will burn in the fires of hell for eternity for being pro gay marriage?
---

pinky0926 posted...

1337toothbrush posted...

pinky0926 posted...

Because of my continued support for marriage equality, including co-sponsoring the cross-party marriage equality bill in NSW parliament in 2013 , Ive been told by some friends and family that western thinking has got to me, that Ive been brainwashed, that Ive lost my way and that Ill burn in the fires of hell for eternity. This hurts.

At least she admits that this is a thing.

The keyword is *SOME*, you chucklefucks.

I'm not sure why you would think that dismisses the point. Also that's what her friends and family are telling her. You don't think that's significant, that the people who care about her and love her the most are telling her she will burn in the fires of hell for eternity for being pro gay marriage?

You mean like some Christians that would abandon their child if they found out the child is gay? Get off your high horse.
---

1337toothbrush posted...

You mean like some Christians that would abandon their child if they found out the child is gay? Get off your high horse.

You're deflecting to a position I wasn't ever defending in the first place. To be clear, I have a very low opinion of all organised religion in general.
---

creativerealms posted...

shockthemonkey posted...

Who do I have a feeling this is still going to turn into a Muslim bashing topic?

Because liberal open-minded Muslims can't exist. They all believe the same thing as the extremists and are just waiting to strike.

It's dumb, there are many different versions of Islam just like there are many different versions of Christianity.

And many different Christian states that practice beheadings and sponsor Christian jihad abroad.

Oh wait...
---

AffligemFR posted...

And many different Christian states that practice beheadings and sponsor Christian jihad abroad.

Oh wait...

There's still parts of Christian africa where you'll get set on fire or stoned for being gay and trans, however nothing to the same scope as Islam and nothing state-sponsored as Islam can be.
---

pinky0926 posted...

AffligemFR posted...

And many different Christian states that practice beheadings and sponsor Christian jihad abroad.

Oh wait...

There's still parts of Christian africa where you'll get set on fire or stoned for being gay and trans, however nothing to the same scope as Islam and nothing state-sponsored as Islam can be.

Stalin killed way more than Hitler and it was only possible because of his strong Muslim background. Religion = bad.
---

1337toothbrush posted...

Stalin killed way more than Hitler and it was only possible because of his strong Muslim background. Religion = bad.

This is sort of one of those comments that has the appearance of being clever but has no actual substance and adds nothing to the discussion.

Many Muslims have a profoundly negative view on homosexuality. She admits it, they admit it. It's not something so small and insiginficant that it can be dismissed or ignored. Not when homosexuals are persecuted across the world because of it. I mean there are literally countries that write this into their constitution and use Islam as the justification for such barbarism. Do you have an actual response to this or do you just want to deflect some more with some hypothetical nonsense?
---

pinky0926 posted...

1337toothbrush posted...

Stalin killed way more than Hitler and it was only possible because of his strong Muslim background. Religion = bad.

This is sort of one of those comments that has the appearance of being clever but has no actual substance and adds nothing to the discussion.

Many Muslims have a profoundly negative view on homosexuality. She admits it, they admit it. It's not something so small and insiginficant that it can be dismissed or ignored. Not when homosexuals are persecuted across the world because of it. I mean there are literally countries that write this into their constitution and use Islam as the literal justification for such barbarism. Do you have an actual response to this or do you just want to deflect some more with some hypothetical nonsense?

You'll find that the stance softens when they can consistently live in a peaceful and stable environment. It took decades for the US to get where it's at with gay rights and the US has been peaceful and stable for a long-ass time. People tend to stay ignorant when they keep experiencing installed dictators, war, "regime change", "installing "democracy"", and other destabilizing forces.
---

1337toothbrush posted...

You'll find that the stance softens when they can consistently live in a peaceful and stable environment. It took decades for the US to get where it's at with gay rights and the US has been peaceful and stable for a long-ass time. People tend to stay ignorant when they keep experiencing installed dictators, war, "regime change", "installing "democracy"", and other destabilizing forces.

I agree with all of that. Never have I said that Muslims are inherently bad people and incapable of being good people. I applaud this MP for her position. But I'm still highly critical of Islam and how easily and successfully it can be wielded as a weapon to stir up radicalism and persecution.
---

pinky0926 posted...

I agree with all of that. Never have I said that Muslims are inherently bad people and incapable of being good people. I applaud this MP for her position. But I'm still highly critical of Islam and how easily and successfully it can be wielded as a weapon to stir up radicalism and persecution.

Not any easier than any other indoctrination tool. Islam is not special in this regard.
---

pinky0926 posted...

AffligemFR posted...

And many different Christian states that practice beheadings and sponsor Christian jihad abroad.

Oh wait...

There's still parts of Christian africa where you'll get set on fire or stoned for being gay and trans, however nothing to the same scope as Islam and nothing state-sponsored as Islam can be.

Scope/frequency of Islamic extremism and all its facets are key.
Certainly when compared against say Christianity, when the usual false equivalency arguments get spouted.
---

1337toothbrush posted...

pinky0926 posted...

I agree with all of that. Never have I said that Muslims are inherently bad people and incapable of being good people. I applaud this MP for her position. But I'm still highly critical of Islam and how easily and successfully it can be wielded as a weapon to stir up radicalism and persecution.

Not any easier than any other indoctrination tool. Islam is not special in this regard.

Yes it is. The Quranic texts are much more violent and subversive than any other religious texts.

1337toothbrush posted...

Not any easier than any other indoctrination tool. Islam is not special in this regard.

It's quite special in how prevalent and widespread and ultimately successful it's been.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_propagation_of_Salafism_and_Wahhabism

I feel like you keep deflecting here to minimalise and dismiss the nature of the problem. I don't feel that's particularly honest. We shouldn't look to Trump's faults and say "but what about the time that Obama did X". Similarly, we shouldn't look at all the problems with Islam and say "But what about communism in the 60s".

Incidentally according to that wiki page:
The impetus for the spread of the interpretations through the Muslim world was the largest worldwide propaganda campaign ever mounted (according to political scientist Alex Alexiev),[5] "dwarfing the Soviets propaganda efforts at the height of the Cold War" (according to journalist David A. Kaplan),[5] funded by petroleum exports which ballooned following the October 1973 War.

Should we discriminate against Muslims and treat them poorly? No. But should we turn a blind eye to the parts of Islam that are morally repugnant because "some things are worse"? No to that too.
---

pls posted...

Yes it is. The Quranic texts are much more violent and subversive than any other religious texts.

I don't know if that's actually accurate. It's mostly just that modern Christians and Catholics don't follow the bible word for word. Much like many modern Muslims.
---

lilORANG posted...

UnfairRepresent posted...

pres_madagascar posted...

(regardless of what he says)

What a stupid point.

If you are flatly disregarding what people say then what are you even discussing? Hell you can say this girl hates gays too if you just disregard what she says

Trump has lied about basically every single conceivable thing. There is no reason to ever take him at his word.

His actions demonstrate how he really feels.

He said the issue of federal gay marriage was settled and then didn't push for a gay marriage referendum.

So....
---

1337toothbrush posted...

pinky0926 posted...

AffligemFR posted...

And many different Christian states that practice beheadings and sponsor Christian jihad abroad.

Oh wait...

There's still parts of Christian africa where you'll get set on fire or stoned for being gay and trans, however nothing to the same scope as Islam and nothing state-sponsored as Islam can be.

Stalin killed way more than Hitler and it was only possible because of his strong Muslim background. Religion = bad.

Stalin was Georgian. Georgians are Christian

Also I don't get you people that are bashing her and saying she isn't a real Muslim. Yeah, that's what many, probably even most, of Muslims would say. Why are you siding with them, though? Isn't the liberalization of Islam a good thing? Like oh Christianity had it's renaissance and Islam didn't, that's what Islam needs too - a renaissance. But I'll be damned if I let liberal ideas seep into their religion!
---

pls posted...

Malcolm_McGuffi posted...

pls posted...

Do any popular versions of Islam teach that you can be a Muslim without following what Muhammad said?

Muhammad never said anything about homosexuality or abortion. You don't know anything about Islam, which isn't surprising.

https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/pages/quran/homosexuality.aspx

https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/pages/quran/veils.aspx

http://www.answering-christianity.com/women_rule.htm

That's the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, dude. That's Old Testament. Look at what you're citing.

Malcolm_McGuffi posted...

pls posted...

Malcolm_McGuffi posted...

pls posted...

Do any popular versions of Islam teach that you can be a Muslim without following what Muhammad said?

Muhammad never said anything about homosexuality or abortion. You don't know anything about Islam, which isn't surprising.

https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/pages/quran/homosexuality.aspx

https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/pages/quran/veils.aspx

http://www.answering-christianity.com/women_rule.htm

That's the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, dude. That's Old Testament. Look at what you're citing.

The Quranic texts have verses that explicitly condemn homosexuality, women who don't wear veils, women in leadership, etc.

pls posted...

The Quranic texts have verses that explicitly condemn homosexuality, women who don't wear veils, women in leadership, etc.

As do the source texts of most organised religions. I mean I could find you bible verses that state the same kinds of things.

I don't think we should pretend Islam is the only religion with violent and crazily patriarchal source material. It just seems that in today's world Islam is the only one still taking it seriously to an alarmingly widespread degree.
---

pinky0926 posted...

pls posted...

The Quranic texts have verses that explicitly condemn homosexuality, women who don't wear veils, women in leadership, etc.

As do the source texts of most organised religions. I mean I could find you bible verses that state the same kinds of things.

I don't think we should pretend Islam is the only religion with violent and crazily patriarchal source material. It just seems that in today's world Islam is the only one still taking it seriously to an alarmingly widespread degree.

you are deflecting. He said that Islam doesn't teach those things.

pls posted...

you are deflecting. He said that Islam doesn't teach those things.

It's not a deflection to acknowledge that all religions have this in common but Islam is the only one that's practising it on a grand scale. In a roundabout way I was agreeing with you.

If you want some Qu'ran verses:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If you find anyone doing as Lots people did, kill the one who does it, and the one to whom it is done (38:4447).

Indeed, you approach men with desire, instead of women. Rather, you are a transgressing people.
---

pinky0926 posted...

pls posted...

you are deflecting. He said that Islam doesn't teach those things.

It's not a deflection to acknowledge that all religions have this in common but Islam is the only one that's practising it on a grand scale. In a roundabout way I was agreeing with you.

If you want some Qu'ran verses:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If you find anyone doing as Lots people did, kill the one who does it, and the one to whom it is done (38:4447).

Indeed, you approach men with desire, instead of women. Rather, you are a transgressing people.

he said that Islam doesn't teach those things. i pointed out that it does. telling me about other religions doesn't contribute anything meaningful to that exchange. gtfo, you complained about someone else deflecting in the same way yet you went and did it too lmao